Storytelling your portfolio

Yesterday we had a terrific portfolio presentation by an upcoming new grad. He's about to graduate from RIT's 3D Digital Graphics Program in May. What made his portfolio presentation so effective is his use of 3D software to help tell his story.

If you're a designer, I'm sure you've read or have been told more than once that your portfolio needs to tell a story - even if you're not present - that is, if you email pdf samples or provide a link to your website - your portfolio should tell the story with or without you.

In this case, the designer/student/job applicant was in the room and we had the benefit of listening to him as he narrated his portfolio. He had previously sent a link to his website which provided a glimpse into some of is work to include a fully 3D rendered image, motion graphics, video and a few graphic illustrations. What he did (smartly) in the interview is to show work we hadn't seen before and he was well prepared. He carefully articulated each of three projects and using tools such as 3D Maya - demonstrated not only his computer graphics skills - but also used these tools to enhance the story. New technology should only be used if it helps to tell the story or enhance the image - tools for tool sake and just because they're new shouldn't be the reason to use them.

He also had training in After Effects, Photoshop and a few other applications and demonstrated his skills in this area as he walked us through a project. Very well done -

The other thing I complimented him on when he was done and other interviewers had left the room. I told him he did an outstanding job of handling questions that poked at some of his design solutions. He used humor, smiling, and responded to the Design Director when questioned about an image with something like "gee I hadn't looked at it that way....thanks for pointing that out". The biggest mistake an interviewer can make when presenting their work is to become defensive when questioned. What would this person be like to work with if they cannot be open to constructive criticism? It leaves the impression (as the student pointed out so well) that they cannot let go of their ideas.